Columbus, Ga. - April 19, 2005 – Some of the most promising cancer researchers in the world were honored at a banquet on April 18, 2005, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, Ca. Aflac hosted the banquet in collaboration with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and its 9th annual meeting.

Aflac is a founding supporter of the AACR Associate Member Council. Aflac has committed $1 million over 10 years to AACR to continue and expand the travel awards program and other initiatives designed to meet the needs of early career cancer investigators. The travel awards program provides funding for cancer researchers to travel to various venues to present their research findings.

“Aflac believes in nurturing the growth and development of the best young scientists in the field in order to conquer cancer. The work of these dedicated researchers is going to bear fruit for years to come,” said Kathelen Amos, president of the Aflac Foundation.

Since 1997, Aflac has sponsored more than 500 Aflac Scholars.

Aflac provides merit-based funding to early career scientists who have submitted the highest-rated scientific abstracts for presentation at AACR meetings and conferences. In addition, Aflac supports other training opportunities through AACR, including workshops on career development, grants development, an associate member newsletter and Web page, and other special initiatives for early career scientists.

Founded in 1907, the AACR is a professional society of more than 22,000 laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in cancer research in the United States, Canada and more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education, communication and advocacy. Its principal activities include the publication of five leading peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics).

Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the largest life insurer in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide and pay cash benefits to policyholders unless they choose otherwise. Aflac's products are primarily sold at worksites in the United States. In January 2005, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for the seventh consecutive year. Aflac has also been included in Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of "America's Best Big Companies" for five consecutive years and in Fortune magazine's listing of "America's Most Admired Companies" for five consecutive years. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

Media Contact:
Patsy J. Thomas
Aflac Incorporated
706.317.6109
706.320.2288 (Fax)
Pthomas3@aflac.com